Patriots name new captain after Ja’Whaun Bentley injury
As the New England Patriots try to replace injured linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley on the field, the team is naming safety Kyle Dugger as a captain to help fill the leadership void.
Losing linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley to a torn pec two weeks ago was a major blow to the New England Patriots’ defense. Not only because of what Bentley brings the team on the field, but also what he brings as a leader.
Prior to the 2024 season, Bentley was voted by his teammates as one of six Patriots team captains. This was his fourth year receiving that honor.
With Bentley expected to be out for the year though, the team made a somewhat official move to help fill the gap. On Wednesday morning head coach Jerod Mayo announced that safety Kyle Dugger is being named a captain to help fill the void created by Bentley’s absence.
“When we did the votes for captain – and once again, this is voted on by their peers – it was very close,” Mayo explained. “[I’m] happy to announce today a guy that has done a tremendous job for us, has really shown a lot of growth on the field and off the field, and that’s Kyle Dugger. So Dugger is now a captain for us.”
“It was a big honor,” Dugger said before Wednesday’s practice. “It meant a lot knowing the guys felt that way about me.
Initial reports were mixed about whether or not Bentley could return late this year, but this move by the Patriots should signal they expect him to miss an extended period of time. Mayo told reporters on Wednesday the team will be placing Bentley on IR.
In his answer, Mayo also recalled his own experience as a player getting hurt and having Bill Belichick name another captain in his place. “As you guys know, there are a few seasons there where I was hurt at the end, more than one. I was a captain seven out of eight years. But I remember getting hurt early in the season. And then Coach [Belichick] approached me and said, ‘hey, do you mind if we add another captain?’ And I didn’t.”
“So I had a conversation with Bentley – obviously not being in the building every single day right now as he goes through the rehab process,” Mayo continued. “But I did ask him, I said, ‘to me, it’s important that we still have’ leadership and representation for that side of the ball.'”
Replacing Bentley on the field is still a major challenge for the Patriots. One of their most productive players, he led the team with 114 tackles last season. Dugger wasn’t far behind him at 109, in what was the first 100-plus tackle season of his NFL career.
Dugger, who was drafted by the Patriots in the second round in 2020, will now be the second safety wearing a captains patch for this Patriots team along with Jabrill Peppers. The other captains are quarterback Jacoby Brissett, center David Andrews, defensive end Deatrich Wise, and long snapper Joe Cardona.
